Corporations have been acquiring veterinary practices for decades, and yet, an estimated 85 to 95 percent of all U.S. veterinary hospitals remain individually owned. That said, industry analysts predict that Mars’ acquisition of VCA Antech will lead to acceleration of the corporate consolidation trend.

AVMA

The AVMA House of Delegates has passed a policy that supports minimizing inherited disorders in the breeding of dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The AVMA Animal Welfare Committee proposed the policy, “Inherited Disorders in Responsible Breeding of Companion Animals.” Delegates in a reference committee revised the wording extensively to address stakeholder concerns while preserving the intent of the original. The new policy encourages research, continuing education, and outreach on inherited disorders in companion animals.

Issues

The Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Monitoring System published the first report from its Equine 2015 study, “Baseline Reference of Equine Health and Management in the United States, 2015” in December 2016. New information is included about sources of equine health care and services provided by veterinarians.

Community

In 2002, Dr. Sonny Perdue became the first Republican elected governor of Georgia in more than a century. Now, the University of Georgia graduate is the Trump administration’s pick to head the Agriculture Department.